I'll Be Sober in the Morning -- Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Morning File / A mayor who loves both Simon, Garfinkle
Monday, July 14, 2008
By Gary Rotstein, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Craig Ruttle/Associated Press

College of Charleston communications professor Chris Lamb recently compiled a book, "I'll Be Sober in the Morning," based on "great political comebacks, putdowns and ripostes." It is heavy on the humor of Winston Churchill.
For instance, the British statesman's political rival, Nancy Astor, once snapped at him, "Winston, if you were my husband, I'd put poison in your coffee."
Mr. Churchill's response: "If you were my wife, Nancy, I'd drink it."
Now there's a ringing endorsement
Mr. Lamb's book has just one Pennsylvania reference, but it doesn't reflect any great wit by a Keystone state politician. Instead, former Gov. Robert Casey is the butt of the humor, and he told the joke on himself.
The Scranton-bred Democrat was campaigning for re-election as governor in 1990 in Oil City, far from his power base. He approached a gas station attendant with the standard, "Hi, I'm running for governor" introduction, and asked for his vote.
The man said sure, he'd vote for him. But when Mr. Casey asked why, the attendant explained, "Anybody would be better than the guy that's in there now."
Gary Rotstein can be reached at grotstein@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1255.
First published on July 14, 2008 at 12:47 am